Helmut Marko is set to leave Red Bull at the end of the season, bringing to an end his longstanding relationship with the Formula 1 giants, according to reports.
Motorsport Week reported yesterday that speculation had mounted in the immediate aftermath of the season finale in Abu Dhabi that Marko could be headed for the exit door.
Marko had said after the race that a “complex” situation would perhaps render him set to leave, adding that he would “sleep over it” before making a decision.
But The Telegraph has reported further that the Austrian will indeed bid farewell to the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Marko’s relationship with Red Bull officially began in 1999, when his RSM Marko team – which competed in Formula 3000 – became the Red Bull Junior Team.
Two years later, Marko was tasked with leading its European driver development programme, and in that time, has unearthed an indelible number of talented young drivers.
Along with firm F1 talents such as Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, Marko also helped produced the team’s two most successful drivers – Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen – as well as Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz.
Marko has been a firm fixture of Red Bull’s public dynamic, often seen at races and never one to shy away from commenting on certain aspects of the team or on F1 in general, with a catalogue of blunt comments made over the years.
Has apparent Dunne rejection confirmed the end of Marko’s powers at Red Bull?
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has additionally reported that Marko’s powers within the organisation may be waning to some extent, due to being allegedly overruled on a recent signing.
Marko was said to be interested in snapping up Formula 2 star Alex Dunne, who left McLaren in October, but the 82-year-old’s desire to do so was apparently rebuffed.
There have been brief swirls of rumours that Marko and Red Bull were prepraring for an eventual parting of the ways, with Vettel himself – to whom Marko is still close – often touted as an eventful successor.
As of yet, there is no official word from Red Bull on the matter.
READ MORE – Red Bull denies foul play involved in Yuki Tsunoda/Lando Norris battle in F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Discussion about this post